Primary Cutaneous Lymphomas; A review of a rare but diverse cutaneous tumour

Abstract

Title: Primary Cutaneous Lymphomas; University of Benin Teaching Hospital Experience Introduction: Primary cutaneous lymphomas (CLs) are a heterogeneous group of extra nodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) which are confined to the skin at diagnosis. The skin is the second most common site of extra nodal lymphoma. They are rare tumours accounting for 18% of cases of extra nodal NHL. The goal of this study is to determine the prevalence of primary cutaneous lymphomas at the University of Benin, Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, vis-a-vis reviewing the existing literature on the subject matter. Methodology: A 10-year retrospective study of primary CLs seen in UBTH from January 2004- December 2013. Skin biopsies were received fixed in 10% formalin in the laboratory unit of the Department of Morbid Anatomy, UBTH, processed in paraffin wax, sectioned and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. Histology slides were retrieved, studied and lesions characterized. Result: There were 375 cases of histologically diagnosed cutaneous tumours. The ages of the patients in this study ranged from 1 to 111 years. Their mean age was 38.32 years (SD = 19.38. There were 192 females (51.2%) and 183 males (48.8%) giving a female to male ratio of 1.05:1. Keratinocytic tumours were the most common lesions seen. There was no case of primary cutaneous lymphoma seen in this study giving a prevalence of 0%. Discussion: Primary CLs are rare tumours. Previous studies in Nigeria and Ghana like the index study did not report a case of CLs. This is unlike the report from Lagos, Nigeria where CLs have been reported. So by extension, although CLs are rare we should not foreclose the possibility of finding isolated cases in our environment. Conclusion: We align with the submission of Bradford et al that further investigations using large populations and molecular tools are warranted to elucidate the aetiology of the diverse spectrum of CLs. Despite this, we trust without prejudice that case reports and institutional base studies as invaluable means in the gathering of data, especially for rare tumours like CLs.